Spiritual care models of patients living with cancer in Taiwan

Background: Psychological, social and spiritual needs are often unmet during the care of patients with cancer in Taiwan. Aim: The purpose of this study was to confirm the spiritual care models including the spiritual distress symptoms (SDS), spiritual distress symptoms interventions (SDSI), and spiritual distress outcomes criteria (SDOC) of patients with cancer in the initial, relapse and terminal stages. Method: This cross-sectional survey collected data from 150 professional nurses about their perceptions of the SDS, SDSI and SDOC for patients with cancer. Results: The significant total effects of SDS on SDOC by SDSI of the patients with cancer in the initial, relapse and terminal stages were found. Additionally, the direct effects of SDS on SDOC by SDSI of the patients with cancer from the initial, relapse to terminal stage were gradually enhanced. Conclusions: The relationship between spiritual distress symptoms, interventions and outcomes was significantly higher from the initial to relapse state until at the end of life, based on the perceptions of 150 professional nurses.